Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

Written by: April J. Buchanan

We read passages of Scripture and observe the responses of those recorded within them. Some respond to the commands of God and the circumstances they face in ways we admire and wish to emulate. Others respond in ways so dark and sinful that we distance ourselves from them entirely, not allowing the text to expose our own hearts. We stand far removed within our place in redemptive history, not allowing the living reality of the Word to shine light into our own hearts, and we say, “I could never.”

We see those who responded admirably and assume that is who we are. We see those who responded wickedly and reassure ourselves that we are nothing like them. But in doing so, we miss the point entirely. It is not that there is something special about us that would keep us from responding in such wickedness. Rather, we think more highly of ourselves than we ought.

The text exposes us all. It humbles us all. It reveals who we truly are apart from the work of grace in our hearts. Perhaps we would not respond in the exact same way as others, but does that make us righteous? Does that prepare us to stand in the presence of holiness, utter and complete otherness, stripped of all pretense?

The Word of God exposes us now for who we are before God. If we are not undone, if we do not cry out against our own hearts, if grace has not truly worked in us to change us and continues to work in us to sanctify us, then we will one day stand before God having rejected His gracious work. We will have refused to be exposed by the law for what we truly are, refused to trust in Him alone for salvation, refused to walk according to grace, and refused to abide in His Word that exposes, sanctifies, and encourages by revealing the beauty and glory of God.

Many look to Christ and desire His power and His authority, those things that set Him apart from other men and reveal His deity, rather than bowing before Him as Lord. They want to be god.

Many recoil from such holiness. They do not behold His deity with fear and trembling. They are not undone by it. Instead, they search the Scriptures seeking what might elevate them, what might grant them authority or power, rather than submitting to the authority of God Himself.

We all read the Bible. But not every man comes under its examination and authority. Not every man finds true peace and comfort in the Gospel. Many read the Scriptures without ever seeing themselves for who they truly are, failing to recognize that the Word speaks of them, of the condemnation that has long awaited them, a condemnation that is not idle.

Many men read Scripture and weep because they are moved by what speaks to their brokenness, yet they are never broken or undone by seeing who they truly are before a holy God. For many, the day will come when they stand before God in surprise, convinced that He knew them, only to hear the most terrifying words of all, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”

Many know this verse. It frightens them. Yet they remain unchanged. Their hearts are falsely assured that because of “experiences,”“encounters,” or the belief that God speaks to them personally, they must be right with God. They assume that because they are uniquely “anointed,” they must be approved.

They do not know Him. Worse still, He does not know them.

Pray that God would help us see ourselves rightly. Pray that our hearts and minds would be changed for His glory. Pray that our lives would reveal the glory of God as we are being conformed to the image of His Son. And pray that we would be discerning, for the day demands it of us for many false teachers and false prophets have gone out and many are deceived and being deceived. And many love it.

Grace and peace, y’all.
Soli Deo Gloria